Make Your Money Last: How to Stretch a Buck

The dollar doesn't have much value these days; in other words, you can't do a whole lot with it. A dollar won't even buy a loaf of bread anymore unless you can buy it on sale. A dollar definitely will not buy a gallon of milk, or even a half gallon of milk, and it sure won't buy a gallon of gas! I've spent some time pondering how to save a buck in order to make my money last longer and found the following ways to do just that. After all, a dollar saved is a dollar saved!

1.) Make your money last longer by purchasing the most inexpensive brands of food without giving up (too much) on quality. Granted, some store brands can be downright gross, but not always. I know that store brands for some things are fine. After some trial and error, I have found store brand items that taste just fine.

2.) We have stores in our city that offer low prices for food and we have have found them. Save-A-Lot and Aldi's are stores where you have to bring your own bags or boxes. Aldi's requires you to use a quarter to unlock a shopping cart, but the prices are reasonable so it is worth that quarter. They aren't always the most attractive stores, but the prices are somewhat lower than your conventional grocery store.

3.) There are also meat markets that offer savings if you buy in bulk. Occasionally I find a deal that I can't pass up. If I can get four or five meals from a package of hamburger at a meat market for only a few dollars more than a much smaller amount in a conventional grocery store, then I will buy it and save some money. It cuts the cost of the next grocery shopping trip down quite a lot if I don't have to plan as many meals.

4.) Buy one, get one free: I don't use too many coupons because I can find a cheaper price buying a cheaper brand, but I do often take advantage of the buy one, get one free sales. Sometimes this means that prices on other goods in the store will be higher, so I only take advantage of the buy one get one free deals and go elsewhere for other items. If the deal is for meat you can bet I will stock up.

5.) Take advantage of dollar stores. I found spices to be a dollar cheaper at the dollar store than the grocery store. This is also true of things like paper products and laundry soap. I have no problem buying store brand flour and sugar and it is always more inexpensive at the dollar store. If you can't remember how much prices for some things are at the grocery store then jot some of them down, then you can compare the next time you shop at the dollar store. Another way to comparison shop would be to take your grocery store receipt with you the next time you go.

6.) I find the prices at Lowe's and Home Depot to be quite expensive. We have a small neighborhood hardware store nearby that has great deals. They always have a display set up in front of the store with items for sale that cost less than a dollar. There are times when we need these inexpensive items. Everything from a roll of masking tape to a package of sponges are sold under the tent. I have purchased picture frames, a kitchen utensil and a package of clothes pins for very little money. I have been able to save a buck by purchasing all three items for just a couple of dollars! It's also nice to give the small business owner your business.

7.) Flea markets are definitely in...we occasionally go on a Saturday morning and buy things that we have to have only on occasion like socks, pot holders or dish cloths, batteries or even nail polish. At times I will also take advantage of the fresh produce that is available because I know it is fresh, not shipped in from other countries.

8.) Rather than buy furniture from stores that sell only new furniture we watch for auctions. This is not only a night out but a fun place to shop and a great place to find deals. I once found an antique trunk with a beautiful picture under the cover and only paid $25.00 for it. When my daughter needed a dresser we purchased one at an auction for under $10.00! (A dresser at the furniture store could cost hundred's of dollars) She was a teenager and had a great time cleaning it up and painting it. We didn't even have to buy the paint; it was left over from another project.

9.) Yard sales are another place to find great deals in order to make your money last. I look forward to my weekends because we can hop in the car and find yard sales all over the place. I live in a warm climate so we have them year round. Sometimes we'll find an estate sale and find some real treasures. We bought a price guide for antiques and try to find old treasures at yard sales. If we happen upon a great deal we turn around and sell it to an antique store.

10.) I look for anything that contributes to my collection of craft materials. It may be paint brushes at our little neighborhood hardware store, material at a yard sale, or a good clean used canvas to paint a picture on. All of these things and more can be found for little of nothing at yard sales and contribute to my "Christmas gift" fund. I don't have a conventional job. I work at home writing articles for Textbroker, so staying home gives me plenty of time to make my cards and gifts. I look for items that I can use to make gifts all year round and always have a project that I am working on. By making my own gifts I can save up to $500.00 or more.

There are advantages to living in hard economic times. Stretching your buck is something my grandparents had to do just to survive. It's a good way to practice self discipline. If I can find a way to save a buck I will. When I was young my father would harp on us to turn off the light, leave the furnace control alone, (put on a sweater!) and close that door. Now I'm the one preaching. Did you know that you can save on your electric bill by unplugging appliances? And to save water, I don't flush the toilet every time I pee! Now that we are in an economic crunch, I find myself reading the hints that the light company sends out with the bill, and these hints do help. And you know what else? It's good for me to cut back on spending to make my money last, and it's also good for you!